Complex Division: Solving Proof for Dividing 2 Complex Numbers

  • Thread starter Thread starter Monochrome
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Complex Division
AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around the proof for dividing two complex numbers, specifically addressing the equations derived from (a + ib) / (g + id). The user has reached an expression for x but is struggling to match it with the expected result from the book. A key point raised is the need to isolate y first and then substitute back to find x, ensuring that division by d is valid since d is assumed not to be zero. The conversation emphasizes the importance of correctly manipulating the equations to achieve the desired outcomes. The user is encouraged to follow the outlined steps to complete the proof successfully.
Monochrome
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
I'm working on the proof that two complex numbers can be divided from Alhford and I'm completely s(t)uck.

I've gotten as far as:

a = gx - dy
b = dx +gy

from
(a+ib) / (g + id)

where

a+ib = (g + id)(x+iy)

I've managed to get

x={\frac {b-{\it gy}}{d}}

and done the same for y (latex is a bit hard for me right now so I can't really show both and I'd like to have a go at it myself when I get what is done for x)

But the book says I'm mean to get:
x={\frac {{\it ag}+{\it bd}}{{g}^{2}+{d}^{2}}}
Help?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Monochrome said:
I've gotten as far as:

a = gx - dy
b = dx +gy

from
(a+ib) / (g + id)

where

a+ib = (g + id)(x+iy)

I've managed to get

x={\frac {b-{\it gy}}{d}}

and done the same for y (latex is a bit hard for me right now so I can't really show both and I'd like to have a go at it myself when I get what is done for x)

But the book says I'm mean to get:
x={\frac {{\it ag}+{\it bd}}{{g}^{2}+{d}^{2}}}
Help?
You want to solve for x and y. If you have an expression for x that involves y, you haven't really solved for x. You have deduced two equations

a = gx - dy
b = dx +gy

You used the second one to isolate x and got

x = (b-gy)/d

Now plug this into the first equation, solve for y. Then sub your solution for y back into your expression for x, and solve for x. Note, how do you know you're allowed to divide by d, as in x = (b-gy)/d? What if d = 0?
 
Oh bloody hell, I had that at the start but didn't see the division by d continued to g. Thanks.

And about d = 0, the book says we're to assume that d isn't zero, than it just becomes normal division.
 
I tried to combine those 2 formulas but it didn't work. I tried using another case where there are 2 red balls and 2 blue balls only so when combining the formula I got ##\frac{(4-1)!}{2!2!}=\frac{3}{2}## which does not make sense. Is there any formula to calculate cyclic permutation of identical objects or I have to do it by listing all the possibilities? Thanks
Essentially I just have this problem that I'm stuck on, on a sheet about complex numbers: Show that, for ##|r|<1,## $$1+r\cos(x)+r^2\cos(2x)+r^3\cos(3x)...=\frac{1-r\cos(x)}{1-2r\cos(x)+r^2}$$ My first thought was to express it as a geometric series, where the real part of the sum of the series would be the series you see above: $$1+re^{ix}+r^2e^{2ix}+r^3e^{3ix}...$$ The sum of this series is just: $$\frac{(re^{ix})^n-1}{re^{ix} - 1}$$ I'm having some trouble trying to figure out what to...
Back
Top